Kenya’s cut flower export grew by 20% between January and May 2017defying challenges such as the Brexit effect and the subsequent weakening of the sterling pound which were expected to reduce the demand.

According to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), cut flowers raked in Ksh42 billion in the first five months of 2017 compared to Ksh35 billion collected in the same period last year.

Collectively, horticultural exports, including rose flowers, French beans and mangoes, amounted to 138,000 tonnes between January and May 2017 compared to 113993 tonnes collected in the same period in 2016.